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Planning
your trip |
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Keep an eye out for specials in the travel section of newspapers and
magazines. |
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Shop around in newspapers
and online in addition to checking with a travel agent. Call convention
and visitors bureaus and visit their web sites for specials. |
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Let firms know you are
shopping around. Some hotels and rental car companies will match
or beat the best deal offered by competitors. |
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Ask for discounts of all
types; auto club, frequent flier programs, senior citizens, AARP, etc. |
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Join frequent use programs
when they are free.
When costs are the same select companies
whose frequent use programs you already belong to. Not only can
you qualify for free or reduced rates, but you often get coupons and
discounts in their regular mailings. We belong to frequent use
programs from airlines, hotels, rental car companies, and credit
cards. |
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Kitchenettes help save food expenses. Condo's do the same and also
provide more room, especially for families. |
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Save by purchasing certain
items at discount stores before you leave, rather than paying
"tourist" prices: film, phone cards, suntan lotion,
etc. |
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Confirm everything in
advance yourself with airlines, hotels, car rentals, etc. |
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The Flight Over |
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In these days of cutbacks by airlines,
if you're on an airline that charges for meals you might want to carry on your own food
for the long flight. It may
save you a little money and you can take what you want to eat instead of picking from a small selection on the plane. |
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Setting for
hours in a tight airline seat poses the risk of blood pooling in the
legs causing blood clots. We avoid long periods of immobility
which can cause the problem, by wandering around for a few minutes
every hour or so. |
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Packing |
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Pack only about half what
you think you will need. It's amazing how little you will need to wear on your trip to Hawaii. |
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BUT, if simply can't bring yourself to pack light, check the airline's web
site or call them for limits on the number of bags, their size, and their weight. Excess weight in a bag will often cost you $25 per bag, and
extra bags can cost $75 or more depending on the airline. |
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Short sleeved shirts, shorts, swim suites, sandals, thongs, and good walking shoes
are a must. A pair of casual slacks will be useful for nice restaurants |
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Identify each piece of
luggage with a name tag both outside and inside the case |
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Pack your identification,
tickets, reservations, jewelry, cameras, essential medication, etc. in carry-on bags. |
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Consider packing one change of clothing and toiletries in a carry on in case your
luggage is "delayed" in arriving. |
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Leave room to bring souvenirs home. |
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When you
arrive |
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When you arrive, use coupons
from street papers, magazines, etc. It's expected. |
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Be aware that
some activity booking agents advertise low prices but then tell you
they are sold out and try to sell you more expensive activities. |
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It's against the
law to have an open container of alcohol in your car or in public
places such as beaches and beach parks. |
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Don't leave
valuables in your rental car, on your beach towel, or laying in your
hotel room. Use the hotel safety deposit boxes. |
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Take a lot of
photos for memories of your favorite sites and activities. They
are especially important on cold winter nights back home. |
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Safety |
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Obey the speed
limit and wear your seat belt. |
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If drinking,
always have a designated driver who isn't drinking. |
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When stopping your car, pull
completely off the road. |
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Never enter the ocean alone
to swim, snorkel, etc. Never leave children in the water alone. |
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Check with
lifeguards about water conditions and obey ocean warning signs. |
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Use sunscreen to
avoid intense UV radiation and a sunburn that can ruin your trip. |
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Some sights may
require hiking, but never hike alone. |
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Care
for the environment |
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Never touch
coral reefs. Coral takes years to grow and human touching kills
it. |
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When hiking stay
on trails. It's safer and helps protect native plants. |
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Pack out all trash
when hiking. Leave the area as natural as you found it. |
